Year Of The Cat

Yankee Whalermen
(Traditional)



Farewell and adieu to you Spanish ladies
Farewell and adieu to you ladies of Spain
For we've received orders to sail from New England
And we hope in a short time to see you again

Chorus:
We'll rant and we'll roar like true Yankee Whalermen
We'll rant and we'll roar on deck and below
Until we sight Gayhead off old Martha's Vineyard
And straight up the channel to New Bedford we'll go

We hove our our ship to with the wind from the sou'west, boys
We hove our our ship to deep soundings to take
'Twas 45 fathoms with light sandy bottom
We squared our main yard and up channel did make

Chorus

I went to a dance one night in Tombaz
There were plenty of girls there as fine as you wish
There was one pretty maiden a chewin' tobacco
Just like a young kitten a chewin' fresh fish

Chorus

Then the signal was sent for the grand ship to anchor
And all in the downs that night for to lie
Let go your shank painter, let go your cat stopper
Haul up your clew garnets, let tacks and sheets fly

Chorus

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Alternative Version:
Spanish Ladies (aka Farewell And Adieu To You)
(Traditional English Shanty)



Farewell and adieu to you fine Spanish ladies
Farwell and adieu all you ladies of Spain
For we've received orders to sail for old England
And perhaps we shall never more see you again

Chorus:
We'll rant and we'll roar like true British sailors
We'll range and we'll roam over all the salt seas
Until we strike soundings in the Channel of old England
From Ushant to Scilly 'tis thirty-five leagues

Then we hove our ship to, with the wind at sou'-west, my boys
Then we hove our ship to, for to strike soundings clear
Then we filled the main topsail and bore right away, my boys
And straight up the Channel of old England did steer

Chorus

So the first land we made it is called the Deadman
Next Ram Head off Plymouth, Start, Portland and the Wight
We sailed hy Beachy, by Fairly and Dungeness
And then bore away for the South Foreland light

Chorus

Now the signal it was made for the Grand Fleet to anchor
All on the Downs that night for to meet
Then stand by your stoppers, see clear your shank-painters
Haul all your clew garnets, stick out tacks and sheets

Chorus

Now let every man drink up his full bottle
Let every man drink up his full bowl
For we will be jolly and drown melancholy
With a health to each jovial and true-hearted soul

Chorus

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